Essai de Production d’extrait Bioactif et Bioaromatisant à Partir des Racines de Mondia whitei (Hook f.) Skeels (Apocynaceae) d’écologie Béninoise

Mondia whitei est une plante médicinale et aromatique populaire endémique en Afrique tropicale utilisée dans le traitement de diverses affections humaines et pour l’aromatisation de plusieurs aliments . Le présent travail vise à déterminer les meilleures conditions d’extraction desextraits bioactifs et aromatisants des racines de M. whitei pour une utilisation efficiente des vertus de ce dernier. A cet effet, une caractérisation des racines de cette plante a été réalisée à travers l’évaluation de sa toxicité larvaire, le criblage phytochimique et la recherche de l’isovanilline. Ensuite, la méthode de réponse de surface à travers un plan composite centré a été utilisée pour la détermination des conditions d’extraction. Les paramètres d’extraction variés sont la température d’extraction (25 à 75°C) et la composition du solvant (eau et chlorure de méthylène : 0 à 100%). La qualité des différents extraits obtenus lors de l’exécution du plan expérimental a été évaluée à travers la  détermination de leur densité en vanilline, en anthocyanes, de leur teneur en phénols totaux et de leur activité antioxydante. Il a été révélé la non toxicité des racines de M. whitei (CL50> 0,1mg/mL) et la présence de l’isovalline dans les racines. Le criblage phytochimique a mis en exergue la présence de huit groupes phytochimiques ayant des activités pharmacologiques avérées. L’analyse de la variance a montré que seule la composition du solvant d’extraction (eau – chlorure de méthylène) a eu un effet significatif (P<0,05) sur la qualité des extraits notamment la densité en vanilline, en anthocyanes et la teneur en phénols totaux avec des coefficients de détermination respectivement de 0,753, 0,734 et de 0,596 pour des valeurs maximales respectives de 3,00 UA (Unité d’Absorbance)/g, 1,29 UA/g et 0,426 g/100 g. Par ailleurs, aucun des paramètres d’extraction n’a affecté l’activité antioxydante des extraits. La détermination de la teneur en vanilline des racines de Mondia whitei, peut servir de marqueur de contrôle de qualité des racines de Mondia whitei. Il faudra définir d’autres paramètres pour une extraction optimale des principes bioactifs des racines de Mondia whitei.  Mondia whitei is a popular medicinal and aromatic plant endemic in tropical Africa used in the treatment of various human ailments and for the flavoring of several foods. This paper focuses on determining the best conditions for extraction of bioactive and flavoring extracts from the roots of M. whitei for an efficient use of its virtues. To this end, a characterization of the roots of Mondia whitei was made through the evaluation of its larval toxicity, phytochemical screening, and the search for isovanillin. Then, the surface response method across a centeral composite design was used to determine the extraction conditions. The extraction parameters varied are the extraction temperature (25 to 75 ° C) and the solvent composition (water and methylene chloride: 0 to 100%). The quality of the extracts obtained during the execution of the experimental plan was evaluated through the determination of their vanillin density, anthocyanins, their content of total phenols, and their antioxidant activity. The non-toxicity ofM. whitei roots (CL  50> 0.1mg / mL) and the presence of isovalline in the roots were revealed. Phytochemical screening has highlighted the presence of eight phytochemical groups with proven pharmacological activities. Analysis of the variance showed that only the composition of the extraction solvent (water - methylene chloride) had a significant effect (P <0.05) on the quality of the extracts, especially the density in vanillin, in anthocyanins, and the total phenol content. This is with coefficients of determination of 0.753, 0.734 and 0.596 for respective maximum values of 3.00 AU (Absorbance Unit) / g, 1.29 AU / g and 0.426g/100g respectively. In addition, none of the extraction parameters affected the antioxidant activity of the extracts. The determination of the vanillin content of Mondia whitei roots can serve as a quality control marker for Mondia whitei roots. It will be necessary to define other parameters for optimal extraction of the bioactive principles of Mondia whitei roots

Impact of Moringa oleifera Leaf Flour supplement on Weight Gain in Moderately Acutely Malnourished Children in Benin

In developing countries, malnutrition represents a public health problem, which affects many children under five, during their complementary feeding period. One way to overcome this problem is through the supplementation of complementary flours with locally available food resources, such as Moringa oleifera leaf (MOL). An experimental study was conducted from June through November 2019 in the southern-Benin, with moderately acutely malnourished (MAM) children, using a porridge made of a mixture of corn, malted sorghum, soybean, peanut, milk, and moringa leaf powder. A total of 150 MAM children aged 12-59 months were recruited and divided into two groups, an intervention group (48) and a control group (75). The intervention group received the test food, a porridge made of maize flour supplemented with Moringa oleifera leaf flour (MOL-flour), at least 5 times/week for 6 months. The control group, whose mothers received nutritional education sessions on food diversification as well as the different ways of preparing MOL meals. Sensory evaluation, anthropometric and dietary diversity data were collected. Z-scores Weight/Height, Weight/Age et Height/Age were determined before and right after the intervention. Results showed that 70% of the children and more than 75% of the mothers assessed the porridge as palatable. A significant average weight gain of 1.720 g (p < 0.005) was observed in the intervention group at the end of the experimentation, with a reduction of the prevalence of underweight by 1,33% (p > 0.05), and the number of acute Malnutrition children by 10,42% (p < 0.005)